Need Voicemail for Merlin Legend R3.0 1

[Ryanm0085]

I aquired a Merlin Legend R3.0 from an old employeer and installed it in a Volunteer Fire Company i belong to. We are in desperate need of a voicemail system as our phone provider only allows us one mailbox. Is there a decent computer software out there that can tie into the system or do they make a voicemail module for the merlin legend. We would need approx. 10 mailboxes and preferably a few different menu options. Any help would be awesome. Thanks in advanced everyone!

 

[Dexman]

In an earlier reply, Ryan mentions that he would like to add a door phone to the system. Now....unlike the Partner platform....the Merlin platform does NOT offer a door phone feature per-se. Door phones can be added to the system....in a roundabout way....but each phone will require 2 ports on a T/R card and 1 GS/LS port.

If/when you decide to purchase a replacement processor from Metroline, I would also add one of each of the following:

http://www.metrolinedirect.com/legpcmciflas.html

http://www.metrolinedirect.com/mermesrel11.html

http://www.metrolinedirect.com/legmlx20ltel.html

(if one was not supplied with the system).

You will need a clamshell for the Avaya Merlin Messaging. I know Metroline sells them, but I don't see them listed on the website.


It might be worthwhile to inquire about having one of Metroline's national installers do the installation for you....because the Legend & Magix both have large learning curves and require the programmer to have a firm understanding of Calling Groups and how they interact with each other.

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[Dexman]

Oops, I see that you already installed the system. Have Metroline install & program the R7 processor & the voicemail.

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[Ryanm0085]

Thanks dexman. Yes the system is in and operational. I found an r7 from metroline for $99 and i think i will be purchasing it. However, im not too sure about the whole magix switch. Im getting more and more familiar with legend and rather stick with it unless theres an extreme benefit of switching. I Thanksgiving all mlx phones and not sure if that matters between the two. Also, i have a voicemail pcmcia card for an acs system. I guess theyre not compatable? I would assume after i make all the updates the last thing i need is the voicemail card. What does it mean by ports? If i need 10 mailboxes and aboht 3 menus which card would be recommended?

 

[Dexman]

Actually, the Magix is based on the Legend, so once you are comfortable with the Legend, the Magix wouldn't be too much beyond that.

I'm not sure what "I Thanksgiving all mlx phones and not sure if that matters between the two" means.

The Partner voicemail card won't work with the Legend & Magix. The number of "ports" just indicates how many tasks the voicemail can perform concurrently.

For example....a 4 port license will allow the voicemail/auto attendant to:

1) Answer 4 incoming calls.
2) Answer 2 incoming calls while 2 people check their voicemail messages.
3) Answer 1 incoming call while 3 people check their messages.

and so forth.

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[Ryanm0085]

It was supposed to say i have all mlx phones. Im responding from work on my droid so its a litte hard. Okay so a 4port would be plenty. Someone said if i get an R7 i can upgrade it to the magix using an upgrade card i believe. Is that correct? I wanna order the new processor today so i wanna make a decision. I think regardless the r7, as long as everything is compatible, is more capable of what our department needs and more advanced then what we have now. If i can switch to magix for the same price as the new r7, $99 i may consider it. I think i am understanding if i switch to magix 2, our system would be updated to the newest version available? If i do decided to switch to magix, is it still just switching the processor? I know im asking a lot of questions but i just wanna make sure i am doing the right thing before we spend the money. Money is very tight in our department.

 

[Dexman]

A Magix R4 processor and an R4 Avaya Merlin Messaging voicemail would give you the largest & final feature set for the Merlin platform.

http://www.metrolinedirect.com/memare40pr.html

While most Legend processors can be flashed up to a Merlin Magix, my preference would be to just buy a Magix processor (but I think most other people would lean towards flashing the existing processor.

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[Dexman]

Having said that, look over the list of boards the system currently has and see which ones can be carried over to the Magix (should you decide to upgrade all the way).

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[Ryanm0085]

It seems the the merlin magix voicemail is way out of our budget. It seems the same way for the legend as well. Im trying to keep the whole project right around $300 if possible but im loosing hope.

 

[exsmogger]

If the processor says CKE4 or CKE5 it can be flashed up to a Magix, cheaper than buying another processor. If it's a CKE3 you can flash it up to a Legend R7. A Merlin Messaging R1 can be had for $100 or less these days.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone

http://www.OregonPhone.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

 

[Dexman]

It will be tough to keep the project under $300.00. Finding an R1 Merlin Messaging (along with a 4-port license) on eBay for less than $100.00 is great, but if the seller does not know what the Admin password is, you'd have to contact either Avaya or a local Authorized Avaya Business Partner to have the Admin Password defaulted. "$$$".

If you were to buy from an online dealer, while it would cost you more up front, the dealer would send the voicemail with the Admin password defaulted (or they would have to default it on their own dime).

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[pmcook]

There is a way to pull the password yourself. You don't need to pay Avaya.

 

[merlinman]

Some on this forum can do that service as well.

http://home.comcast.net/~merlinman

-merlinmansblog.blogspot.com

 

[pmcook]

So Ryan I see nothing wrong with the 007 MLM. EBay is your only option for your budget so you'll be taking your chances. There are several places where you can get replacement hard drives if need be. They average 250.00 or so. It's the simplest solution. Really, what you need is very basic and the 007 will be more than adequate. But 300.00 is probably half what you should budget.

 

[Ryanm0085]

will this work if I upgrade to Merlin Magix 4.0?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280898945668#ht_500wt_1413

 

[exsmogger]

Yes, that will work with any release Magix. It will also work with a Legend R7 if you decide to upgrade your current processor.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone

http://www.OregonPhone.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

 

[Dexman]

I'd love to know what the seller's "reserve" is. Still, That would be a good voicemail for either the Magix R4 or the Legend R7 (and a clamshell is available).

If you do buy it, consider purchasing a replacement hard drive or two and keep them on hand for when the existing drive fails (which they all will at some point).

http://www.nyteldirect.com/Scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=310

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[Ryanm0085]

Okay. I didn't meet the reserve. I was the high bidder at a whopping $26. I found a r4 for $220. It does not come with a flash card. I am assuming that i would need the card for it to work. Below is the r4. Also, is a card i found for $50. Are they compatable. Id be looking at right under $300 which would be awesome.

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=330708786877&index=3&nav=SEARCH&nid=82318797850

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=120909173220&index=5&nav=SEARCH&nid=94154953490

 

[exsmogger]

This Merlin Messaging is a R1. $220 is high for a R1, especially without a license card. It shouldn't be any more than $75-100. As I recall the R1 will work as a 2-port voicemail with no license card installed. Dexman or Merlinman can probably verify this.

This license card is only a 2-port. $49 is not unreasonable since it includes free shipping.

They are compatible.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone

http://www.OregonPhone.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952

 

[Dexman]

I was under the impression that the Merlin Messaging would boot up into Test Mode without a valid port license. Merlinman and TTT would know for sure. A 2-port license can be a bit restrictive. A study could be done to determine if a 4-port would be better for the application.

A while back, I noticed someone was selling bogus Avaya voicemail licenses on eBay. The cards sold for much less than genuine licenses did. They looked similar to legit ones, but close examination showed subtle differences in the lettering and design of the PCMCIA cards. They probably didn't offer backup & restore functionality either.

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[exsmogger]

I know there were some Partner Messaging license cards floating around that would activate the ports, but wouldn't do a backup/restore. I'm sure it was the same with the Merlin Messaging.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone

http://www.OregonPhone.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/briancox1952